**Connections: Sports Edition – An Exciting New Challenge for Sports Enthusiasts**
*Connections: Sports Edition* marks the newest iteration of the beloved [*New York Times* word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted to put the sports knowledge of fans to the test. Much like the original *Connections*, this game invites players to discover “common threads between words.” It resets every day at midnight, with each puzzle becoming increasingly difficult. If you find yourself in a bind, we have hints and strategies to assist you.
If you’re solely after today’s solution, feel free to scroll to the bottom of this article. However, if you’d like to tackle it independently, continue reading for clues, tactics, and insights to support you.
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### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
This fresh daily word game from the *New York Times* debuted in partnership with *The Athletic*, the publication’s sports-centric platform. The game is available on both web browsers and mobile devices, and its premise is straightforward: group four words sharing a common theme.
Each puzzle includes 16 words organized into four categories. These categories may encompass book titles, sports terminology, country names, and other subjects. Although several words may appear to fit a category, there is only one accurate solution for each grouping.
When players successfully group four words, they are removed from the board. However, making an incorrect guess is counted as a mistake, and players are permitted up to four mistakes before the game concludes.
To facilitate the process, players can shuffle the board to change the arrangement of words. Each category is color-coded, with yellow as the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to *Wordle*, you have the option to share your results with friends on social platforms.
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### Tips for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Seeking a hint without giving away the answer? Here are some clues for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** No score, or identical score
– **Green:** Card games
– **Blue:** Football athletes
– **Purple:** Abbreviated mascots
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories Unveiled
Still in need of assistance? Here are today’s categories in detail:
– **Yellow:** *Dead heat*
– **Green:** *Poker variants*
– **Blue:** *NFL wide receivers*
– **Purple:** *Informal CFB nicknames*
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### The Solution to Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Puzzle
Ready for the answers? Here’s your final opportunity to look away before we disclose today’s solution.
**Drumroll, please!**
The solution to *Connections: Sports Edition* #77 is:
– **Dead Heat:** DEADLOCK, DRAW, STALEMATE, TIE
– **Poker Variants:** HOLD’EM, HORSE, RAZZ, STUD
– **NFL Wide Receivers:** LAMB, LOCKETT, ST. BROWN, WADDLE
– **Colloquial CFB Nicknames:** HOGS, HUSKERS, NOLES, VOLS
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### Don’t Sweat It If You Missed Out
If you weren’t able to solve today’s puzzle, don’t be disheartened! A fresh *Connections* puzzle will be available for you tomorrow, and we’ll return with additional hints and solutions to assist you.
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In search of more games? Visit [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more. And if you’re also engaged in *NYT Strands*, [check out today’s hints and answers](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-december-7).
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Locate the solution here](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-9).